Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

4 reviews

sophiajkessler's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The main takeaway for this book for me was something I already knew: straight men are more in love with each other than they could ever love any woman. It was quite obvious to me that Sal and Dean love one another and this is to an extent a love story. Hence why Sal overlooks how bloody annoying Dean is which we as the readers have to suffer through, whilst Sal gushes about how great he is. Cognitive dissonance much? Other readers have commented ( and I agree) that although this book has beautiful prose it is plot deficient and there are precious few actually likeable characters. To me this didn't detract from the book though as it helped develop the sense of loneliness and isolation that an itinerant lifestyle engenders no matter how freeing it might be. People who aspire to this kind of lifestyle should look at the endings of the protagonist and deuteragonist to find the moral of the story:

Sal makes his way off the road and finds his happiness. Dean never does and seems unable to do either. We leave him to an uncertain fate, having lost all the friends and lovers of his journey and also Sal, his probable soulmate.

A cautionary tale about the dangers of a lifestyle many idealise even if its simultaneously a love story, both to the road itself and between its main characters. Best enjoyed if you yourself are actually on a roadtrip! At times I could practically see and feel the emotioms and scenery described. Beware of the content warnings though. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

amelody's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Sal Paradise is a colossal ass.  Hated these characters.   William  Burroughs ("Bull Lee") was the only one worth knowing.   And he was a self proclaimed junkie--and certainly no hero.   Kerouac seems to have been an irresponsible, privileged, little snot whose rambling search for himself or for adventure led him to use everyone he came into contact with to the best of his abilities.   The only saving grace of this book (beyond Bull Lee's practical interludes) is the fact that Kerouac/Paradise at least described the settings well.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism

_quinnsreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Reading this book made me feel like I've traveled to the entire America. I quite liked Dean although he's supposed to be the least likable character in the story. Also the adventure, the fun stuff and Kerouac's portrayal of romance and pop culture while living in the 1950's was ironically nostalgic for me while I was reading it. I hope to read more of Kerouac's wonderful works.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

wretchedtheo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Excrement

Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma